Over 50’s Keep Fit

If you think that your health and wellbeing wither unavoidably the moment you hit fifty, think again. While a certain amount of deterioration is inevitable, you can put it off for a long time if you know how to take care of yourself. When it comes to looking after themselves many over 50s keep fit by finding a good balance between physical, mental and emotional well being and it all starts with a simple, daily routine.

Start with a Check-up

If you’ve been exercising rigorously throughout your life, an exercise routine will likely continue to provide you with a range of health benefits, but if you are just deciding to start exercising, it is important to get a physical first. It is never too late to start exercising, but it is important to find out where you are, physically, before you start testing and challenging your body.

A Comprehensive Program

Once you have the all clear from your doctor, you then need to put together a solid exercise plan. Over 50s keep fit by ensuring that they meet with every area of their physical fitness needs, including aerobic exercise, strength training and stretching.

Aerobic exercising includes activities such as jogging and walking and they work to benefit the cardiovascular system. Basically, not only is this exercise good for your heart, but it will also ensure you are a healthy weight. Try to get in about 20 minutes of this exercise at least 4 times each week.

Strength training is all about toning and helps to improve your posture. Hand weights are perfect for this. Stretching ensures the joints and muscles remain limber, and this can even help to prevent injuries obtained during a fall. Yoga is a really great addition to any exercise program because it not only strengthens, but it also helps to improve balance – something that can deteriorate with age.

Small Steps Lead to Big Accomplishments

No matter what age you are, starting a new exercise routine can be challenging, but remember, even the smallest changes can make a big difference. For example, the next time you are faced with a set of stairs and an elevator, opt for the stairs. Instead of shouting to your family members from one room to the other, take a short walk.

Comfort should be a main concern as you take your first steps into the world of fitness. If you are going to be doing more walking, don’t you want to be comfortable doing it? Over 50s keep fit by making sure that they stay motivated, so invest in a good pair of running shoes – you might even find that you look forward to those runs, if only to show off your new gear.

Reward Yourself

Lastly, make sure that you reward yourself for even the smallest accomplishment. As you proceed, remember to be grateful to your body for putting in the work and never admonish yourself for failing to meet your expectations. Over 50s keep fit by staying committed to the task at hand, and most people respond better to praise, rather than punishment.

If you want to feel 35 at 50, you can – all it takes is the know-how, and the willingness to take one step further today than you did the day before.

2 comments

I’ve always enjoyed being out in nature, and I love my walks on the beach and local nature trails. I do have arthritis and other medical conditions that sometimes limit me, but when I’m able, I try to get outside in the fresh air and enjoy my surroundings. I live in an area with quite a few places to do this, and I moved here specifically for that reason. I know it can be difficult to get and stay motivated if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, but there are exercises that can be done at home, and/or at the gym. I appreciate that these days, the emphasize seems to be more on health and fitness than building huge muscles. With the advent of pilates and continued popularity of tai chi and yoga, it seems there is something for everyone, and for every fitness level.

It is important to remember that now that we are in our 50s, we might not be able to do the same types of exercise as we were able to when we were younger – so we will need to sort out our plan in relation to what we are actually physically able to do. I found that swimming was a great activity, as I am able to put as much or little effort into it as I feel able to at the time, which is great, and I also know that it isn’t too hard on my joints, which is absolutely an added bonus as far as I’m concerned.

Welcome To Life After 50

Welcome to Life Over 50. The website for those of us who have reached that rather wonderful age group! Being over 50 brings many changes into your life, some are great and well....some perhaps, not so great. However being over 50 has its own special meaning to us and our site brings you lots of wonderful, helpful, articles to guide you in your journey.